Queensland skipper James Horwill claimed Super Rugby was being ruined and the Reds were "robbed" after a controversial video over-ruling on Saturday night.

It was their sixth straight loss, 30-27 to the Melbourne Rebels, in a season of woe which also sank to new depths with a serious shoulder injury to star playmaker Quade Cooper.

Horwill could not hide his rage after the Rebels secured their first win over the Reds thanks to a late penalty awarded on review by television match official Steve Lescinski, who ruled an eye-gouge by Ed O'Donoghue.

Following their bewildering 23-20 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg earlier in the season, the Reds captain said they'd been dudded again.

"In the end, once again we were robbed by a stupid refereeing decision," he told Fox Sports after fulltime.

Horwill, who could face sanctions from SANZAR, hadn't calmed down at the official post-match press conference.

He was furious as referee Steve Walsh had originally given his penalty to Queensland when Sean McMahon was third man in to a scuffle between O'Donoghue and Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham.

Walsh, who did not want to rule on the alleged gouging off the big screen, had told Lescinski he didn't need to review the scuffle, but the TMO stopped play just as the ensuing lineout formed.

"I have played more than 150 games of professional rugby and I have never ever ever seen that happen before - ever," Horwill said.